PADANG BESAR, April 1 — The government has decided that its institutions like the military, police, schools, hostels, and hospitals will use imported white rice from today onwards so the people can obtain local rice.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the people can get sufficient supply of local rice if these institutions use imported white rice instead of the local variety.
“I have informed the secretary-general (of the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry) to find a way to ensure the local rice mills send supplies at least to Fama (Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority) and LPP (Farmers’ Organisation Authority) offices, so it reaches the people, but is local rice enough? It is insufficient because its production is limited.
“How can we further help the people get cheaper goods? So the government, starting today, has decided that all (rice) needs in the military, police, schools, hostels, and hospitals will use imported rice so that local cheap rice can be purchased by the people…thus easing their burden,” he said.
Anwar was speaking at the Perlis-level Madani fast-breaking ceremony at Masjid Nurul Huda Felda Chuping today. Also present was Perlis Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli.
On March 25, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said any government contract involving rice distribution would use imported white rice starting in April.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said his visit to Perlis today has been significant as his team also sought input and suggestions from the state government regarding efforts to develop Perlis and improve its people’s living standards.
“I once again express my gratitude for the opportunity given to us to make this working visit meaningful with the Speaker, state executive councillors, along with the Director-General of the ICU (Implementation and Coordination Unit, Prime Minister’s Department) and other senior officials from various ministries.
“It did not turn out to be a usual briefing session; usually, during visits, there is a briefing and then we leave, but we asked for input and suggestions from the state government. We are doing this in most states. Perlis is the fifth state, two days ago it was in Sarawak.
“We focused on what projects are being implemented, what problems exist, if there are delays, why? What are the complaints from the people, why we could we not address them properly, what more can be done to make Perlis progress, whether in terms of tourism or overall economic development,” he said.
Anwar also drew attention to the fact that despite the Perlis state government being of a different party, they have a close and very cooperative relationship with the Federal government.
Earlier, he chaired a briefing on Perlis’ development at the State Legislative Assembly Complex and later visited the Persiaran Wawasan Ramadan bazaar in Kangar.
— Bernama
